Jackson has been swamped with film offers ever since starring as BA Baracus in last year’s remake of The A-Team.

But the 33-year-old will bid to win back his old title when he challenges emerging superstar Jon Jones at UFC 135 in Denver on September 24.

Jackson booked a shot at Jones by beating Matt Hamill, 34, last month. Incredibly the wacky American’s passion for fighting is still burning and he reckons it would take a £19m Tinseltown pay cheque to give up his octagon career.

He said: “I was asked, ‘Would I leave fighting if I started getting $30m for movies?’ Of course. “Who wouldn’t leave any job for $30m for six weeks’ work?

“I am getting some good movie offers. Nothing I can talk about now, but some movies and characters you will have heard of, if I was allowed to talk about them.

“I’ve turned movies down to fight, and it is just finding a way to film during my down-time between fights.”

Jones, 23, was still at school when Jackson was making his way through the MMA ranks in 2003 and starring in the now defunct PRIDE organisation.

The New Yorker will start favourite for the fight. His one defeat in 14 matches came when he was disqualified against Hamill for illegal elbows in 2009.

Octagon oldie Jackson can’t wait to test himself against the man tipped to become the biggest MMA star ever, but isn’t so keen on setting up camp in Southern California even though best mate Michael Bisping will be there to encourage him.

Jackson added: “I hate getting up and running. That’s not fun for me.”